Hydrologists Salary
In Virginia, hydrologists earn $132,080 at the median, or about $63.5 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $157K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.79), which stretches that salary to about $139,340 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,646/month, or 20.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Virginia. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $132K get you in Virginia?
About hydrologists
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Virginia
Virginia sits well above the national pay line for hydrologists, local pay runs about 37% higher than the U.S. median of $97K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,646/month, 21% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.79 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Virginia offers a genuinely strong financial position for hydrologistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia
Entry-level hydrologists (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $132K. Top earners bring in $157K or more, a $95K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track hydrologists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a hydrologist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $132K, rent takes 21% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,646/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hydrologists in Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hydrologists typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,719/month. At HUD’s $1,646/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hydrologist a high-paying job in Virginia?
Local pay is 37% above the national median — $132K here vs. $97K nationally.
How does Virginia compare to the national average for hydrologists?
Virginia pays $132K median vs. the U.S. average of $97K — that’s +37%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $139K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hydrologists make in Virginia?
The median is $132,080 a year, that works out to about $64 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,990, and experienced hydrologists can clear $156,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $132K enough to live in Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,829/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,646/month, which eats 21% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a hydrologists salary go in Virginia?
Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 94.79 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hydrologists salary is worth about $139,340 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hydrologists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.